Writing-machine.



O. F. BAMBERG & E. WEINHOLD. WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED MAY 29, 1913.

1,138,832. Patented May11,1915.

2 SHEETS-*SHEET I72 067%739. @QZEpeazfBazzaZer m Ziizzzazza? a z7z0 THE NORRIS PETERS 60., FHOTC-LITHO, WASHINGTON. D. C,

O. F. BAMBERG & E. WEINHOLD.

WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZQ. 1913.

1 1 38,832. Patented May 11, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

was

I'HE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTOVLITHOH WASHINGTON, D c.

STATES PATENT @FFTCE.

OTTOMAR FEDOR BAMBERG AND EDMUND WEINI-IOLI), OF LAIBACH, AUSTRIA- HUNGARY.

WRITING-MACHINE.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, OTTOMAR FEnoR BAMBERG and EDMUND WEINHOLD, subjects of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing at Laibach, Austria-Hungary, have invented new and useful Improvements in Writing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for connecting together two machines such as type writing machines in such a way that messages may be transmitted in cipher and may be deciphered in a simple and convenient manner. The apparatus is preferably arranged to be operated electrically by the use of transmitting and receiving typewriting machines of a known kind, the arrangement being such that the depression of a key in the transmitter machine closes a circuit which operates one of the receiving typewriter keys by electromagnetic means.

According to this invention a switch is provided which may be set in a number of different positions so that the circuit connections may be varied either for a whole message, or in difierent parts of a message as may be required. The switch positively controls the connections and eliminates all possible errors both in the conversion of messages into cipher, and in the subsequent deciphering.

A further object of the invention consists in the fact, that the cipher-code may be varied by special contact holders or disks, each of which comprises a special cipher-code. These disks may be placed in the switch so that a great number of variations in the combinations may be obtained in such a manner that ciphering or deciphering always proceeds with the proper key.

A switch suitable for use according to this invention, for changing over the electrical connections between two typing machines is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the switch in plan. Fig. 2 shows it in side elevation partly in section. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the switch and Fig. 4 a section on the line CD of Fig. 3.

In the construction shown in the drawings two cables 1 and 2 are provided each containing a number of conductors, and serving to connect together the various members of two typing machines of any suitable type capable o operating with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Serial No. 770,797.

electrical transmission from one to the other; the construction is such that on the operation of a key of one machine, a particular type lever of the other machine is operated through one of the conducting con nections as will be well understood. The separate conductors of the cable 1 are connected at their ends to terminals 3 of a fixed disk 4, While the conductors of the other cable 2 are connected to the terminals 5 of a disk 6 which is arranged to turn relatively to the disk 4. Only one conductor of each cable is indicated in Fig. 2 and the connections are omitted in Fig. 1, but it will be obvious how they may be arranged. The disk 6 is mounted to turn on a hollow shaft 7 through which the cable 1 passes, and on which the disk 4 is fixed. A spring 9 presses the disk 6 upward, and a handle 8 is provided to facilitate the turning of the disk. The disk 6 has a number of projections 10 adapted to engage with notches formed at 11 in the downwardly turned edge of the fixed disk 4; the disk 6 can be turned to bring the projections 10 into engagement with any of the notches, the engagement being insured by the spring 9 pressing the disk upward. On the disk 6, preferably in line with the handle 8, an in dex mark 12 is provided, while on the surface of the disk 4 close to the respective terminals 3, numbers or other suitable characters are marked in order to show in conjunction with the index mark 12 the setting of the disk 6.

If the mark 12 is set to the zero position as shown in Fig. 1, then for example the same type levers of both machines may be connected together, so that on the operation of the keys of the one machine, the correct types are operated on the second machine. If, however, a despatch is to be transmitted in cipher the disk 6 is set to a position in which the mark 12 is opposite some number, for instance the number 6 on the disk 4, according to the code or key of the ciphered message. The conductors in the cable leading from one machine to the terminals 5 on the disk 6 are then connected through the contacts and terminals 3 with other conductors of the other machine so that when the keys of the transmitting machine are operated diflerent types in the receiving machine from those in the transmitting machine will be caused to operate, depending upon the position of the disk 6,

the disk set to a corresponding position and transmitting the code message in the reverse direction so that the code letters will be reconverted into the original letters in another machine, thus reproducing the ori ginal text of the despatch.

By connecting the conductors to the con. tacts in various ways, a. great number of different variations in the ciphering can be introduced, and a number of contact disks may be arranged in a series in order to give combined ciphering effects which will render deciphering more Cll'ffiC-Ult or practically impossible by unauthorized persons not having the code or key.

According to the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4: a bed' plate 13 including the sleeve 1& for the cable 1 is provided with three bolts 15, cooperating with corresponding holes of a second circular plate or disk 16 which may be attached to this bed plate by means of thumb-nuts 17. On this disk 16 are arranged in 'two concentric circles the circuit contacts 18, 19, which when the disk 16 is rigidly attached to the plate 13 by means of the thumb-nuts are pressed against.

the contact springs 20, 21 of the plate 18. The several circuit wires the number of which is equal to that of the letters, numerals or ciphers used, are connected to a terminal plate 22 fixed in the plate 13 and to the springs 21, While the springs 20are connect'ed with the conductors of the cable 1. By suitably connecting the contacts 18 of the inner circle with the said contacts 19 of the outer circle of the plate 16 there may be formed difierent combinations, each of which corresponds to a special cipher-code.- The disk 16 is provided with a cover-plate 23 to conceal themanner in which the current runs between the contacts 18 and 19. The bolts 15 are not symmetrically arranged as shown in Fig. 3, so that the plate 16 cannot be wrongly fastened to the bed plate. Instead of using three bolts, asshown, there naturally may be employed any other number of unsymmetrically arranged bolts. Sleeves 24 hold the cover plate in necessary distance from the disk 16. 7

According to the number of ciphers of the typographic machine used, there may be formed any number of combinations by a suitable connection of the contacts 18, 19, of the disk 16, and according to this possible number of combinations just as many plates or disks may be arranged as there are suitably marked contacts-holders. Each combination corresponds to a special cipher-code and it is only necessary to fasten that contact holder to the plate which corresponds to the given cipher-code or key, to cipher or decipher with the proper key.

The contacts or terminals need not necessarily be arranged on circular disks but other suitably formed contact carrying members may-be provided with means for adjusting them relatively to one another for the purpose of obtaining the corresponding connecting positions. y

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device for use in changing over the operative connections between two type ma chines for the purpose of transmitting messages in cipher and for deciphering the same, comprising two contact carriers the one formed with a notched surface and the other with projections adapted to engage the notches, means for normally pressing the projections into the notches, and connections from said contact carriers leading to the two type machines from one of which messages are to be transmitted to the other.

2. A device for use in changing over the operative connections between two type machinesfor the purpose of transmitting mes sages in cipher and for deciphering the same, comprising two contact carriers the one formed with a notched surface and the other with projections adapted to engage the notches, a spring pressing the one contact carrier into engagement with the other, indications on the one contact carrier adapted to show the set-ting position in conjunction with a mark on the other, and connections from said contact carriers leading to thetwo cable of conductors passed through the hollow axle to the contact carrier fixed thereon,

and a second cable of conductors connected to said revoluble contact carrier, said cables leading to the type machines to be connected. In testimony whereof we havesigned'ou'r names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 1

OTTOMAR FEDOR. BAMBERGL EDMUND VVEINHOLD. Witnesses I AUGUST FUGGER, Josnr BAUER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the coinmissioner of Patents,

- Washington, I). 0. 

